The European soccer season is coming to a close, but that just means that the summer transfer season is about to heat up. There are already rumblings that big-name stars will be on the move this summer. Depending on how the 2024 Euros unfold this summer, there could also be players who improve their stock and earn a lucrative summer transfer deal. Even though the window isn’t yet open and the biggest moves may wait until after the Euros, let’s take a look at some of the best players who could change clubs this summer.
Kylian Mbappé
It’s all but a done deal that Mbappé is going to be a Real Madrid player next season. He has declined to extend his contract with PSG in favor of playing alongside Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and other stars. With his contract expiring, Mbappé will be a free transfer, although his weekly wages are bound to be substantial. The only question left to ask is where Mbappé can deliver PSG a Champions League title before he leaves and whether the French side might face Real Madrid in the final.
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Mohamed Salah
With Jürgen Klopp leaving Liverpool after the season, Salah is set to do the same. Soon to be 32, the Egyptian star has nothing left to achieve at Liverpool. For the Reds, the timing is right to sell Salah for a big transfer fee and begin to rebuild the club in the post-Klopp era. All signs point to Saudi club Al Ittihad buying Salah after making a strong push for him last summer.
Karim Benzema
Speaking of Al Ittihad, Benzema looks poised to leave the Saudi club this summer. Unless he and the club can patch up their dispute, it seems likely that Benzema will be back in Europe. Despite being 36, he figures to attract attention from some top teams. His boyhood club Lyon is a possibility if Benzema lowers his wage demands. Otherwise, a return to Real Madrid or a London-based club like Arsenal or Chelsea are his most likely destinations.
Victor Osimhen
The race to sign Osimhen this summer could be one of the most compelling we see. The Nigerian striker has outgrown his current club Napoli and figures to sign with a world superpower. After all, there are only so many clubs that can afford his release clause of nearly $140 million. The latest rumors suggest that Osimhen will join PSG as a replacement for Mbappé, but time will tell if that’s true.
Kevin De Bruyne
This could be it for De Bruyne and Manchester City, as the Belgian midfielder’s contract is up after the season. He figures to focus on the Euros this summer before making a decision about his club future. But keep in mind De Bruyne will be 33 in June, so a move to the Saudi Pro League might be more likely than joining another European powerhouse.
Rafael Leão
Leão has a release clause that virtually no club can afford. But the attention he’ll receive outside of Italy after the season he’s had for AC Milan could be too much for his current team to ignore. PSG could view him as a way to help replace Mbappé. But there will surely be other clubs knocking on Milan’s door with the hope of signing Leão this summer.
Alphonso Davies
With just one year left on his contract, Davies and Bayern Munich appear to be stalled in contract talks. At the same time, there is strong interest from Real Madrid in arguably the best left-back in the world.
The Canadian is still just 23, so the price tag figures to be huge with his best seasons potentially ahead of him. Bayern doesn’t have to sell Davies this summer if they think he’ll eventually sign an extension. But the risk of letting him go to Madrid for free next summer is too great not to sell him to the Spanish giants.
Florian Wirtz
Barely 21 years old, Wirtz is one of Germany’s rising stars. He was integral to Bayer Leverkusen winning the Bundesliga this season, which means bigger clubs will be after him. Most notably, Bayern Munich is likely to make a substantial offer. Xabi Alonso staying at Leverkusen could be enough to get Wirtz to resist a summer move. However, there are also reasons why a transfer to Bayern this summer might be too much for the young starlet to resist, especially if he has a strong performance at the Euros this summer.
